nbc News spoke to people from various quarters of society for a reaction to the national budget tabled today by Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah.

Among those we spoke to were a political science scholar at the University of Namibia, Veziruapi Omega Tjirimuje and Victoria Negonga, also a political scholar at the same institution and a youth activist.

The Executive Director of the Namibian National Association of the Deaf, Paul Nanyeni, in his budget expectations for Finance Minister Erica Shafuda, wanted social safety nets tightened, as he proposed an increase in the old-age and disability grants from N$1,600 to N$2,000.

Nanyeni anticipated an increase in the old-age grant, as he said in most cases, elderly individuals provide care for their grandchildren left behind by destitute youth who are unable to support their offspring.

Furthermore, he stated that it was a wish of the late president Hage Geingob to increase the grant to three thousand dollars. 

He wants that promise fulfilled, as per the African tradition that the wishes of the deceased be respected.

Nanyeni, however, remains optimistic that during the upcoming financial year, the Minister will propose a substantial increase in the said grants.

Tsumkwe-based farmer Uaṱirauina Kazohua also weighed in on the budget reaction, describing the budget as wonderful.